Sunday night stroll

Just a few new photos of the boys. We went for a walk to the park last Sunday night. We stopped and got ice cream on the way home. Mmmmm!!

Ethan's expression is priceless!

"This is my eagle. His name is .  .  . Eagle."

Franken-penguin! (Earon, for some reason I thought of you)

Goggles fall under "cool attire" when one is 3!!

Science Project

A couple of weeks ago Earon found a monarch caterpillar for Ethan to watch. It was our science experiment:) It was pretty neat, especially once we found a home for it other than the kitchen counter. It was not pleasant to cook with a green thing squiggling in a jar just a couple of inches away! Anyway, in a surprising short time it spun its cocoon. It never did anything while we were watching. I guess it is like watching anything grow; you can't actually SEE movement while you are watching, but leave for an hour and come back and you can measure a difference. One day we noticed the caterpillar hanging by its tail. We went out to run errands or take a walk or something and when we returned, there was no more caterpillar, only a smooth, beautiful, green cocoon. It had these fantastic gold sparkles on it, too. They would catch the light and glitter in an amazing way. The butterfly came out in similar manner. We noticed a change in the color of the cocoon and we went for a walk, when we came back, there was the butterfly!! Watching the hand of God in the minute loveliness of nature is an awesome thing. So, that was our science experiment:) 

Ethan and the jar as the butterfly is strengthening its wings

There it is!

Outside, stretching and strengthening its wings

Balloon Festival

A week and a half ago we went to a hot air balloon festival. It was fascinating to watch those giant bubbles of brilliant color float up into the sky around us.  They just slowly drift heavenward with no sound or sudden movement. It was quite delightful. 

August

Life is going well. We are settling in bit by bit and it feels nice. Today we are going to begin painting and working on projects on the house. It is exciting to begin putting our style on our home. The present colors and styles seem to be at least 6 years old. Hmmm. Time for a change!  Now that we have a camera I have a whole batch of pictures of the boys again. They keep me busy and amused:) 

One more recent adventure. Aunt Earon found a monarch caterpillar for Ethan. We put it in a mason jar and it is now in its cocoon. He is watching for it to become a butterfly. It is a pretty fun science project, just as long as it is not sitting on the kitchen counter. I just couldn't cook with a caterpillar on the counter!!

Ethan making a tart with left over pie dough

Ethan making a tart with left over pie dough

Mischief 101

Ethan was feeding "candy" (wood blocks) to Hans. He likes to pretend he is in the parade throwing candy to people who are watching. We discourage the actual throwing:)

playing piano

working under the table

mud eater!!

Whenever Hans gets out in the porch he heads straight for this plant and starts eating dirt, and does not stop until we catch him! He seems to like it! We find his mouth full of mud. YECK!!

new camera

Weekend

Sorry for the great lapse in posts. We have been busy. There is so much to do when one is moving in. There always seem to be a limitless list of things I want to do in this house. It is not yet to my standard of clean, orderly and style. I am ready to go charging at all of my imagined projects, and yet we must do the day to day, eat lunch, change diapers, read stories and keep everyone happy, clothed and fed. That seems to use up almost all of the time I have and what is left is good time to RELAX, not work! 

The boys are doing well. Hans just started pulling himself up to the furniture this week. I will soon have two boys on the go. I am thankful for each day that Hans is not yet running after Ethan:) Hans also just finished working on teeth numbers 5 and 6. Ethan continues to be fascinated with farming and tractors. He enjoys the new house and the yard and I think he is slowly learning all of its benefits. 

This past weekend we went down to PA for my cousins wedding. It was so marvelous to see family again. We had a great time. 

Another event in our lives: we got a new camera! Pictures have returned to the blog! Yeah! Here are some from this weekend. 

Hope, Charis, Joelle and Heidi

Charis and Hope

Sisters!!

Family visit

A couple of weeks ago my family came up to visit and see our new house. We had a great time. Mom and I ended up doing a batch of pickles and 1/2 a bushel of green beans. some way to spend a relaxing vacation weekend?:) We also took some time to introduce them to Letchworth State Park. It was so very nice to have them here and show them around.

Hans and Uncle Jourdan

Hello!

My siblings